Two studies examining dementia were released recently. Both report a link between obesity in middle-aged people and the incidence of dementia. Confusingly, one study shows that obesity increases the risk of dementia by 300%. The other study found that obesity decreases the risk of dementia by almost 30%.
WHAT?!?!
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Obesity Increases Dementia Risk
People who are obese in middle age are at almost four times greater risk of developing dementias such as Alzheimer's disease in later life than people of normal weight, according to a study released today.
The study, published in the journal Neurology, examined data on more than 8,500 people over the age of 65. Of the sample, 350 had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or vascular dementia and a further 114 had possible dementia.
Scientists used records of the participants' height and weight in the decades before and found that those who had been overweight in middle age had a 1.8 times (80%) higher risk of being diagnosed with dementia in later life. But for obese people, classified as those having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above, the risk soared. People with midlife obesity had an almost four times (300%) higher risk of dementia.
-- Obesity in middle age increases risk of dementia
Obesity Decreases Dementia Risk
Obese middle-aged people are nearly 30% less likely to develop dementia than those of a healthy weight, a study has revealed.
It also found that underweight people of the same age were a third more likely to develop the condition than those who had a healthy body mass index (BMI).
The new research published in the The Lancet Diabetes And Endocrinology journal contradicts findings from previous studies, which suggested that obesity leads to an increased risk of dementia.
As people's BMI increased, the risk of dementia reduced, with very obese people - those with a BMI greater than 40kg/m2 - 29% less likely to develop the condition than those in the normal weight range.
-- Obese 'have lower dementia risk'
About The Studies
The study that found obesity increases dementia risk was led by Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm and examined data on more than 8,500 people over age 65. The competing study was led by London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Oxon Epidemiology and examined data on 1,958,191 people with a median age of 55.
A Bit Of Nagging
All of us should keep conflicting results like these in mind when the urge to criticize others as being anti-science or ignorant strikes us. Sure, there are people who push ignorant beliefs in order to further an agenda, and they should be roundly condemned. But just think how many average Americans throw up their hands in frustration when presented with dueling studies. Is it any wonder that some end up saying, "A pox on both their houses!"